inward

1 of 3

adjective

in·​ward ˈin-wərd How to pronounce inward (audio)
1
: situated on the inside : inner
2
a
: of or relating to the mind or spirit
inward peace
b
: absorbed in one's own mental or spiritual life : introspective
3
: marked by close acquaintance : familiar
4
: directed toward the interior

inward

2 of 3

adverb

in·​ward ˈin-wərd How to pronounce inward (audio)
variants or inwards
1
: toward the inside, center, or interior
2
: toward the inner being

inward

3 of 3

noun

1
: something that is inward
2
inwards ˈin-ərdz How to pronounce inward (audio) -wərdz How to pronounce inward (audio) plural : innards

Examples of inward in a Sentence

Adjective moved towards the inward room for more privacy he's more inward with the president than most members of the cabinet Adverb The window faces inward toward the courtyard. He turned his attention inward.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Along with male and female, there is the outward and inward focus of the figures, and a sharp distinction between gathering and consuming among the women at the spring, and processing and performing among the male musicians. Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2023 Indeed, Blighty’s inward investment drum has been beating long and loudly with a focus on studios and streamers, who drove a majority of the U.K.’s near £5 billion ($6 billion) of qualifying film and High End TV productions in 2022. Angus Finney, Variety, 30 Oct. 2023 But in German filmmaker Wim Wender’s latest feature, the Tokyo-set drama Perfect Days, the 68-year-old actor may have found the most natural vehicle yet for his persona’s unique blend of elegance and inward dignity. Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Oct. 2023 Intimate and vocal, sharing and becoming an inward moment, as no other form of entertainment can. Pino Gagliardi, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Sep. 2023 For some liberal-leaning Chinese, the downgrade of English is symbolic of China’s inward turn and a tightening of ideological control. Nectar Gan, CNN, 21 Sep. 2023 Marilyn Lovell, whose husband commanded the troubled Apollo 13 spacecraft and whose outward stoicism and inward agony epitomized the emotional rigors of the space program for astronauts’ wives, died Aug. 27 in Lake Forest, Ill. Michael S. Rosenwald, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2023 When their fuel for nuclear fusion is exhausted the outward pressure that supports massive stars against the inward force of gravity also halts. Robert Lea, Popular Mechanics, 13 Apr. 2023 Read full article In both personality and leadership style, Cox has an inward focus. Sean Cotter, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Sep. 2023
Adverb
Here, the examination turns inward to your internal drivers—the underlying reasons and incentives that prompt you to take action, make decisions, and lead in a particular manner. Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023 The play examines what happens when seething anger is turned inward, as well as the desire for reconciliation. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Nov. 2023 Advertisement Mays, who speaks deliberately, turned inward, searching for the right words. Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2023 The hostile climate led many African American communities to turn inward and form their own schools, newspapers, musical groups, religious groups, and social groups. Melissa Noel, Essence, 6 Nov. 2023 They’ll be written by young adults willing to do the hard work of looking inward in order to go off script. Dan Lichterman, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2023 Disgusted with the political process and chastened by a chaotic withdrawal from a bruising 20-year war, many said their impulse was to turn inward, away from mounting international tensions and toward problems, such as inflation, that are closer to home. Jack Healy, New York Times, 21 Oct. 2023 The essay offers applicants a vital provocation to look inward through a laborious process of inspiration, perspiration, and revision. Dan Lichterman, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2023 As a result, since 1991, most administrations have looked inward and focused on domestic issues over international ones. Joshua Shifrinson, Foreign Affairs, 17 Oct. 2023
Noun
Sometimes the inward and the outward can make for an interesting blend, converging in a house party feel of sorts. Angelo Flaccavento, CNN, 17 Jan. 2023 One hundred feet of skid marks scarred the highway, and cracks throughout the vehicle’s windshield, according to an expert from Ford Motor Co., appeared to have been caused by simultaneous inward and outward forces. Alexis Oatman, cleveland, 13 Jan. 2023 The first image Karkai sold as an N.F.T. depicted a woman with two overlapping facial expressions, one outward-facing and neutral, one inward and downcast. Molly Fischer, The New Yorker, 28 Nov. 2022 Some destinations currently require masks for inward and outward bound flights -- such as the US, where the mask mandate is set to be in place until at least April 18. Francesca Street, CNN, 15 Mar. 2022 Inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis), inflammation of the surfaces of the eye, and the inward or outward turning of eyelids can also trigger dry eye, per the AAO. Jenny McCoy, Health.com, 14 Oct. 2021 Henry’s life pulsed between the inward and outward. BostonGlobe.com, 8 July 2021 However, adopting a mindset that encompasses centrifugal and centripetal forces will help HR managers maintain balance on the fulcrum of inward and outward trends. Naira Velumyan, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2021 For most Jews, Hanukkah has always been an inward, at-home, after-work-on-a-Wednesday sort of affair. Rachel Levin, SFChronicle.com, 9 Dec. 2020 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inward.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English inweard (akin to Old High German inwert), from in + -weard -ward entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of inward was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near inward

Cite this Entry

“Inward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inward. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

inward

1 of 2 adjective
in·​ward ˈin-wərd How to pronounce inward (audio)
1
: situated on the inside : inner
2
: of or relating to the mind or spirit
an inward peace
3
: directed toward the interior
an inward flow

inward

2 of 2 adverb
variants or inwards
1
: toward the inside, center, or interior
2
: toward the mind or spirit

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